Strawberry plant named ‘PE-7.2059’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PE-7.2059’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PE-7.2059’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its large fruit size that is red in color, conical in shape with medium to strong gloss and a calyx that tends to be raised; seeds that range from level with to above the surface; medium plant size, with foliage that lacks gloss and has medium to strong interveinal blistering; fruiting truss pubescence that is strong and held strongly outward; and stolons, stipules and fruiting trusses that all lack anthocyanin coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragariaananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘PE-7.2059’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘PE-7.2059’. This new variety is a result of a controlled crossmade in 2007 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry selectiondesignated ‘PS-7625’ (unpatented) and strawberry variety designated‘VALOR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,394). Due to the combining of thereciprocal seed lots, it is unknown as to which parent variety is theseed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The varietyis botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2009.After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolonsin both San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The newvariety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruitingfields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated thatthe combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the newvariety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generationsof asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PE-7.2059’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditionsof the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean providesthe needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strongvigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall productionmonths.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PE-7.2059’, which in combinationdistinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Large fruit size that is red in color, conical in shape with        medium to strong gloss and a calyx that tends to be raised;    -   2. Seeds that range from level with to above the surface;    -   3. Medium plant size, with foliage that lacks gloss and has        medium to strong interveinal blistering;    -   4. Fruiting truss pubescence that is strong and held strongly        outward; and    -   5. Stolons, stipules and fruiting trusses have anthocyanin        colorations that are absent or very weak.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related tothe new variety ‘PE-7.2059’ is ‘ARABELLA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,209).In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety‘ARABELLA’, ‘PE-7.2059’ differs by the following combination ofcharacteristics as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 COMPARISON WITH THE STANDARD VARIETY ‘ARABELLA’ (U.S. PlantCharacteristic ‘PE-7.2059’ Pat. No. 26,209) Fruit: size Large (23.4grams) Medium (22.5 grams) Fruit: L × W ratio Slightly longer As long asbroad than broad Fruit: insertion of achenes Level with to above Levelwith to below the surface the surface Fruit: attitude of sepals Rangesfrom Outward outward to upward Fruit: flavor Good Very good Plant: sizeMedium Ranges from medium to large Foliage: number of leaflets Rangesfrom 3 to 4 3 Foliage: shape in cross Strongly to slightly Slightlyconcave section concave to flat Fruiting truss: length Medium Rangesfrom medium to long Pedicel: attitude of hairs Strongly outward Upward

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

‘PE-7.2059’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-7625’ and ‘VALOR’, by thefollowing combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT VARIETIES Characteristic ‘PE-7.2059’‘PS-7625’ ‘VALOR’ Type of bearing Everbearing. Summer bearing.Everbearing. Plant size Medium. Large. Medium. Fruit color Medium red.Medium red. Ranges from medium to dark red. Fruit flavor Good. Verygood. Good. Disease reactions: angular leaf spot Moderate. Susceptible.Susceptible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PE-7.2059’, at variousstages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical descriptions whichaccurately describe the color of ‘PE-7.2059’. The depicted plant andplant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PE-7.2059’ are between threeand four months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County,Calif.:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘PE-7.2059’,taken in the month of October 2014;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical leaf structure of‘PE-7.2059’, taken in the month of October 2014;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘PE-7.2059’,taken in the month of October 2014; and

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘PE-7.2059’, taken in the month of October 2014.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘PE-7.2059’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety‘PE-7.2059’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations inenvironmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity andlight intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, thecharacteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety includedin Tables 1 and 2 of the present invention may vary in detail, dependingupon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘PE-7.2059’, unless otherwise noted, are based onobservations taken during the 2014 growing season in Ventura County,Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of‘PE-7.2059’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San JoaquinCounty, Calif. during January 2014 and planted six months later inVentura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants isbetween three and four months. Yield observations including averageweight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristicsincluding soluble solids, are averaged from four years of data collectedfrom the 2011 through 2014 growing seasons. Flower measurements andcharacteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruitcharacteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unlessotherwise noted.

Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (2007).

The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower, and pest and disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘PE-7.2059’.

-   Fruit characteristics:    -   -   Color of mature fruit.—RHS 46B (red).        -   Color of internal flesh.—RHS 45B (ranges from medium red to            dark red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 44C (medium red).        -   Length (cm).—4.6.        -   Width (cm).—3.7.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.24 (slightly longer than broad).        -   Calyx diameter (cm).—4.4.        -   Season average weight (gm).—23.4.        -   Achene color, shaded side.—RHS 160A (greyed yellow group).        -   Achene color, sun-exposed side.—RHS 183B (greyed purple            group).        -   Achene weight (mg).—0.62.        -   Achenes per berry.—358.        -   Season marketable yield (gm/plant).—628.        -   Predominant shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruit.—Moderate.        -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.        -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Strong.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Ranges from level with surface to            above surface.        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Ranges from level to raised.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Ranges from outward to upward.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Medium.        -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and            central.        -   Hollow center expression.—Ranges from weak to moderate.        -   Flavor.—Good.        -   Soluble solids (% Brix).—7.5.        -   Time of first flowering.—Medium, August in Ventura County,            Calif.        -   Time of first harvesting.—Medium, September in Ventura            County, Calif.        -   Harvest period.—Late September to mid December, in Ventura            County, Calif.        -   Harvest maturity.—Mid season, November in Ventura County,            Calif.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant.-   Plant characteristics:    -   -   Height (cm).—21.4.        -   Spread (cm).—32.3.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Stolon characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 146C (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 181D (greyed red group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Absent or very weak.        -   Pubescence.—Dense.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.        -   Average quantity (nursery).—Medium (ranges from 5 to 7            runners per square foot).        -   Average diameter at bract (mm).—3.9 (thick).-   Terminal leaflet characteristics:    -   -   Length (cm).—7.9.        -   Width (cm).—7.5.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.05 (ranges from as long as broad to            longer than broad).        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of teeth.—Rounded (crenate).        -   Serrations per leaf.—23.6.-   Foliage characteristics:    -   -   Color of upper surface.—RHS N137D (medium green).        -   Color of underside.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Number of leaflets.—Ranges from 3 to 4.        -   Size.—Ranges from medium to small.        -   Length (cm).—12.5.        -   Width (cm).—14.5.        -   Shape in cross section.—Strongly to slightly concave.        -   Interveinal blistering.—Ranges from medium to strong.        -   Leaf glossiness.—Absent or weak.        -   Leaf texture (upper surface).—Medium to strong rugose.        -   Leaf texture (underside).—Medium to strong rugose.        -   Leaf variegation.—Absent.-   Petiole characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 146D (yellow green group).        -   Length (cm).—13.3.        -   Diameter (mm).—4.6.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.        -   Frequency of bract leaflets.—Occasionally.        -   Bract leaflet size.—Small (ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 square            cm).        -   Pubescence.—Ranges from moderate to sparse.        -   Petiolule color.—RHS 146D (yellow green group).        -   Petiolule length (mm).—15.5.-   Stipule characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 146B (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Absent or very weak.        -   Length (mm).—21.1.        -   Width (mm).—10.8.-   Fruiting truss characteristics:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 181D (greyed red group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Absent or very weak.        -   Length at maturity (cm).—23.6.        -   Position relative to foliage.—Level with.        -   Number of flowers.—Medium (ranges from 25 to 30 per plant            season long).        -   Pedicel attitude of hairs.—Strongly outward.        -   Pubescence.—Strong.        -   Attitude at first pick.—Prostrate.-   Flower characteristics:    -   -   Petal color.—RHS NN 155C (white group).        -   Sepal color.—RHS 137A (green group).        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 148B (yellow green group).        -   Anther color.—RHS 13A (yellow group).        -   Corolla diameter (mm).—33.5 (ranges from medium to large).        -   Calyx diameter (mm).—35.2.        -   Petal length (mm).—12.3.        -   Petal width (mm).—12.1.        -   Petal length/width ratio.—1.01 (as long as broad).        -   Petals/flower.—6.8.        -   Sepal length (mm).—12.1.        -   Sepal width (mm).—6.3.        -   Sepal length/width ratio.—1.91.        -   Sepals/flower.—12.9.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Ranges from same size to            larger.        -   Size of inner calyx relative to outer calyx.—Same.        -   Relative position of petals (flowers with 5-6            petals).—Overlapping.        -   Stamen.—Present.-   Pest and disease reactions:    -   -   Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis).—Susceptible.        -   Angular leaf spot (Xanthomonas fragaria).—Moderate.        -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).—Moderately            susceptible.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PE-7.2059’, asherein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.